Yesterday in La Crosse
Were music contests making a comeback? Maybe, 43 years ago
In 1974, the La Crosse School District was talking about ending its long-time policy of not sending students to regional music contests. The unwritten policy dated back at least to the late 50’s. The cost of traveling to out-of-town contests seemed to be the sticking point, keeping La Crosse kids from those competitions.
Senator Ted Kennedy declared that he would not run for president in 1976, citing family responsibilities. The youngest Kennedy brother was 42. Both of his brothers, John and Robert, were in their early 40s when they campaigned for president. Ted eventually did run in 1980, and almost kept Jimmy Carter from being re-nominated by the Democrats.
Among the popular performers booked at the Sawyer Auditorium in 1974…Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, the Lettermen, and country singers Johnny Paycheck and Jeanne Pruett. Tickets for the Lettermen cost as little as four dollars, 43 years ago, Yesterday in La Crosse.